Do you walk alone at night?

[FeetupTvon]

I love walking for fitness and relaxation.
Now the nights are drawing in I’m wondering if I should use the treadmill at the gym instead.
Obviously I want to continue going for walks but don’t want to feel unsafe as that defeats the object of walking being for mindfulness.
Just want to know how common/uncommon walking alone in the dark is.

I live rurally in an area with one of the lowest crime rates in the country. I would still be mindful of walking alone late at night because I'm a woman. I would be cautious and very aware of my surroundings.

Yes as i have a small dog therefore no option. I walk in a local park with a head torch. I also walk up to the local shops or to the train station 15 minutes away. I live in Glasgow.

I don’t, I always have someone with me.

Yes. Obviously I can’t avoid it anyway, coming home from work in the winter, but fucked if I’m going to be afraid to walk around my own bloody neighbourhood.

I live in South London and while I’m aware of my surroundings and don’t take the cut across the park late at night, I don’t feel unsafe.

I used to walk alone at night around residential roads. I would still do it now but I'm a single parent and can't leave the LO. I think as long as I was home by 08.30 / 9 there were still people about it would be ok. I used to location share with my mum for safety. If I felt unsafe I would ring her and just talk.

Yes, I walk/run alone at night but I live in a rural village, and I know most of the other inhabitants. There are lots of houses I could run to for help if necessary. And I'm fit and swift on my toes if the need arises.

I wouldn't walk alone in a city I didn't know, it wouldn't feel comfortable to me. What is your locality like?

Me too!

Yes of course. I don't have a car so this time of year it's not really optional.

Always, when I lived in the country and couldn’t sleep, I would walk on field paths with a head torch at 3 am. Now I live in the city, unless it’s bucketing down, I walk home from the cinema/gigs etc.

I'm sure that depends on your area. I live in a pretty safe suburban area with street lights and I happily walk around here at night, even the roads which are leafy with houses set back and hedges which always feel quieter. However, like most women, I still stay aware of my surroundings and I don't tend to walk through any of the narrow alleys.

Yes, absolutely.

It really depends where and at what time. For example, 7pm walking around a city no problem, walking through the dark and scary park full of druggies and teenagers less alright. Walking round my village late at night no problem. Country lanes in the pitch black nope.

No. I take a taxi rather than walk home in the dark.

if by "at night" you mean after dark - of course how else do I get places/get home? I live in central London.
I'm probably not out that often after midnight - but that's because I'm normally home by then, rather than avoiding being out. I suppose I avoid walking through parks after dark, but that's about it, although there's somewhere i go regularly where the only route is a well lit park route - that's OK (9pm ish)

Yes absolutely. I couldn’t live my life if I didn’t venture outside my door after dark alone - eg to get to swimming club, pick up kids etc.

We live in a busy city and walk/cycle/public transport everywhere and usually feel very safe.

I would feel less safe walking alone in rural areas but it’s all about what you feel familiar with. And I guess then I’d need to drive…

I think in London everything is much more lit up on the whole but since I left London it is impossibly dark and I do not feel safe at all. A different world.

Only if it's a busy area. I wouldn't walk alone rurally.

We have woods behind us and fields for miles. I would never walk there alone at night - not really out of worry for being attacked by a man but because it's creepy AF and I'm still scared after watching the Blair witch project.

Out and about in town where its populated - yes, I would.

Yes and I have done since a teenager in London.
I feel safer un urban areas than rural ones.

But I'm always alert to other people about, especially if a man may be following.
If really late at night I'll walk down the middle of the road.

Yes with earphones in too

Even at 5pm?

In that case I’d be more worried about being splattered from here to Norbury Crescent, the way maniacs drive late at night 😱

Yes I like walking in the dark - live in a pretty rural village but its fine.

Me and my 5yr old go on walks in the dark after tea. She has the same amount of energy that needs expending whether its dark or light and I would go mad cooped up in the house as soon as the nights draw in. We take a torch.

Yes but I live in a safe, well lit, city. However I'm not keen on my teenage kids walking home after dark, girl or boy.

Yes and never feel unsafe nor give. It a second thought
I work shifts and regularly go a walk on my break at 3-4 in the morning or when I finish work at midnight.
I walk wearing ear pods playing music and the areas I work are industrial estates and where I live is semi rural but it's not even a concern